3 Tips For Preventing Dumpster Diving Behind Your Retail Store

If you operate a retail store, you might worry about people "dumpster diving" and looking for items in your dumpster. For example, you may have to throw away items that are expired or that have been discontinued, and you may be concerned about people retrieving these items from the dumpster. You probably don't want to be held liable if someone gets hurt while removing something from the dumpster or by using an item that was not intended to be used, and you may also worry about the way that this can make your business look to customers and passersby. Luckily, there are a few steps that you can take as a retail store owner or manager to help prevent this undesirable behavior.

1. Install Security Equipment

Don't just focus on your store itself when installing security equipment, such as security cameras, additional lighting and signage that warns against trespassing. These security measures should also be taken near your dumpster. If would-be dumpster divers see that they would be under surveillance if they went near your dumpster, they might avoid doing so. This is especially true if you have motion lighting, signage and other similar items in place as additional deterrents. 

2. Be Unpredictable

If your store becomes known for tossing items out on a certain day of the week or month, you can expect for word to get out and for the dumpster divers to come in droves at these times. Luckily, you do have an option -- stop being so predictable. Consider switching up the days that you toss out items that dumpster divers might be interested in. Then you won't have to worry about everyone crowding your dumpster at one time, and once your store becomes less predictable, people might move on to another place for dumpster diving.

3. Destroy Items Before Throwing Them Away

If you take the time to destroy items before throwing them away, anyone who dumpster dives at your business will figure out that they are wasting their time. For example, break glass items as you throw them into the dumpster, or cut up clothing or other items. Making these items so that they are useless when throwing them away will make them so much less appealing to those who are thinking about diving in and picking up your store's tossed-out items.

Dumpster diving can be a pretty big issue for retail store owners. Luckily, following these tips can help you put a stop to this behavior.

For more options to increase security, talk with a professional dumpster rental service, or visit websites like http://parksandsons.com.